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MEA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is to work with veterans and their families to publish short stories, essays, poems, and artwork in our bi-annual publication, As You Were: The Military Review, periodic editions of Blue Nostalgia: The Journal of Post-Traumatic Growth and others. Each author or poet that submits work to us is afforded the chance to work one-on-one with a mentor to polish their work or learn new skills and techniques.

Our staff is based all over the country and includes college professors, professional authors, veterans’ advocates, and clinicians. As such, most of our services are provided through email and online writing workshops.

All editing, consultations, and workshops are free of charge. Veterans and their families pay nothing for our services, and they never will.

Under our Publications tab, there are more than a dozen volumes of creative work crafted by veterans and their family members as well as a virtual art gallery. Our blog posts feature short pieces that cover a wide range of opinion editorials, literary reviews, and profiles on veteran artists and writers.

Please consider spending some time navigating our site and reading and seeing the fine work of veterans and their families from around the globe.

Giving and Taking – Part Three of Three

Thank you to Serve the Warrior for sharing an article from their The Flying Guinea Pig blog. Serve the Warrior is a like-minded nonprofit whose mission is creating community spaces that help heal the invisible wounds of veterans.

A couple of frantic minutes later, the noise in my mind was interrupted by Leigh’s soothing voice. By concentrating on her words, I was able to re‐focus my thoughts and get back to the task at hand. She had us focus on a loved one that was sick or in need of help. With every inhale, we were to take in their suffering and with every exhale, concentrate on giving out love, hope, and understanding. As my son was sick that day, I envisioned taking away his suffering with every breath in, and with every exhale, sending him love and wellness. A few moments later, I began the same process, but focused on the parents of my fallen brothers. With every inhale, I imagined taking away the pain they felt from losing their sons, and with every exhale, sent them my love and understanding.

However, it only took a few more breaths before my mind went nuts again. I was trying so hard to concentrate but kept failing. Finally, Leigh Anne guided us to come out of our meditative state. All I could think about as I came back to full awareness was how completely I had failed at meditation. I was disappointed because I thought I would only heal if I were able to concentrate the whole time.

But then, I realized that I had completely lost track of time as we were meditating. What had felt like ten minutes had actually been a full half hour. Also, I noted with surprise that I felt different, almost airy. My senses seemed more attuned, as if I could hear things better, could really feel each step I took. Everything looked lighter, as if it were emitting some kind of aura. As I was pulled out of the parking lot, the world seemed a little bit clearer.

It’s been nearly two weeks now and I find myself using Tonglen almost daily. In tense situations, I focus on my breathing and my surroundings. With each breath, I concentrate on the cause of the tension and why it brings me suffering, and with each exhale, I bring to mind thoughts of happiness and healing. I do the same when I feel the guilt start to creep in. I focus on the cause of my guilt, the suffering of the families and friends, and when I exhale, I try to extend my thoughts of happiness to them, in hopes that I can in some way help them to heal as well.

I went into this experience somewhat skeptical but with an open mind. I can say with all my heart that I am truly convinced that there are ways other than medication to heal. Things seem to be looking up. Maybe meditation is my calling after all.